CDC Admits No Studies Proving Vaccines Given in First 6 Months Don't Cause Autism

Attorney Aaron Siri exposes lack of evidence behind CDC's long-held claim that vaccines don't cause autism

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

In a federal court order, the U.S. Department of Justice signed a stipulation on behalf of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) acknowledging that the CDC does not have studies proving the vaccines administered in the first six months of life do not cause autism. Attorney Aaron Siri, who obtained the court order through a lawsuit, says this reveals a lack of safety accountability in the vaccine program.

Why it matters

The 1986 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act gave vaccine manufacturers immunity from civil liability, removing the economic incentive to conduct long-term safety studies. This has allowed the vaccine schedule to expand significantly without the same rigorous safety standards applied to other pharmaceutical products.

The details

Siri, the managing partner of Siri & Glimstad LLP, spent years demanding the CDC provide the studies it relied upon to claim vaccines do not cause autism. The DOJ eventually produced a list of 20 studies, but 19 were irrelevant and the 20th actually showed an association between the DTaP vaccine and autism. Siri says this reveals the CDC's public claims about vaccine safety are not based on scientific evidence.

  • In 2019, the DOJ signed a court order on behalf of the CDC in the Southern District of New York.
  • The order stipulated the list of studies the CDC relied upon to claim vaccines given in the first 6 months don't cause autism.
  • Siri appeared on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast in early March 2026 to discuss these findings.

The players

Aaron Siri

The managing partner of Siri & Glimstad LLP and author of the book "Vaccines, Amen: The Religion of Vaccines", who obtained the court order revealing the CDC's lack of evidence on vaccine safety.

Informed Consent Action Network (ICAN)

The client of Aaron Siri who demanded the CDC provide the studies it relied upon to make claims about vaccine safety.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The U.S. public health agency that has long claimed vaccines administered in the first 6 months of life do not cause autism, but was unable to provide evidence to support this claim in federal court.

U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)

The government agency that signed the court order on behalf of the CDC, acknowledging the lack of studies proving vaccines don't cause autism.

Dr. Stanley Plotkin

A leading vaccinologist who acknowledged to Siri that there are no studies showing the DTaP vaccine does not cause autism.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Are you sure that your client, the CDC, wants to settle this case on the basis that these are the studies they rely upon?”

— Aaron Siri, Attorney (Joe Rogan Experience)

“Oh, okay.”

— Dr. Stanley Plotkin, Leading vaccinologist (Deposition)

“Vaccines don't cause autism has been thoroughly debunked is a belief. It is not science. It is not fact. It is not based on data.”

— Aaron Siri, Attorney (Joe Rogan Experience)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.